Antibodies to Cytokeratin Proteins - Product Review 09

Introduction

Intermediate-sized filaments are abundant cytoplasmic structural proteins in most vertebrate cells. Cytokeratins, a group comprising at least 29 different proteins, are characteristic of epithelial and trichocytic cells.

Western blot analysis of mouse tissues detected cytokeratin 7 expression in bladder, but not in epidermis. Cytokeratin 7 expression was found to be restricted to ducts and specific glands of simple epithelial tissues; examples included isolated cells in the acini of mammary gland, cells of lung alveoli and bronchiolar epithelium, kidney collecting duct, and Brunner glands of the duodenum.

Cytokeratins 10, 13, and 18 are members of the type I acidic subfamily. Cytokeratin 10 (56 kDa) is the secondary type I keratin expressed in cornified epithelia. Cytokeratin 13 (54 kDa) is the secondary type I keratin expressed in non-cornified stratified squamous epithelia. Cytokeratin 18 (45 kDa) is the primary type I keratin expressed in simple epithelial cells.

Cytokeratin 19 (40 kDa) is a type I keratin which can be expressed in both simple and in broad cells of stratifying epithelia at specific sites. Cytokeratin 20 has an apparent molecular mass of about 46 kD. Antibodies raised against cytokeratin 20 decorated typical cytokeratin fibril arrays in normal and transformed intestinal cells.

Immunocytochemical analysis of several human and rat tissues showed that cytokeratin 20 is a prominent component of intestinal and gastric foveolar epithelium, urothelial umbrella cells, and Merkel cells of epidermis. Sparse positive epithelial cells were noted in the thymus, bronchus, gall bladder, and prostate gland. Monoclonal anti-cytokeratin antibodies are specific markers of epithelial cell differentiation and have been widely used as tools in tumor identification and classification.

Antibody Tools for Detection of Cytokeratins

Acris Antibodies offers one of the worlds most comprehensive antibody product ranges for detection of all important keratins. These antibodies are suitable for immunohistochemical staining procedures (see picture gallery below) and / or other applications like Western blotting.